Like I said they had no idea of my age until after I accepted the job they offered. I did have a telephone interview so any extreme age could have been noticeable. There is also an extensive physical qualification process. I imagine as long as you pass that you are in.
As for women. My experience working in camps has show a wider acceptance of women over the last decade or so. It is not much of a deal anymore. There are however some camps that are strictly no women. Man camps. And they should probably stay that way. The US Antarctic program seems to be progressive and and I highly doubt there is a hiring preference in regard to sex. Plus the facilities are more than able to accommodate any gender. I am sure there are more men just for the fact that more men have the remote experience. It is not vital but it put my resume at the top of the stack. I had a job offer in slightly less than 3 weeks.
I don’t know what came first the idea of the book or the title. I once started a taco truck because my phone number was 299-taco.(There is a great story as to how I ended up with the number.) Someone said you should start a truck. A couple months later I was in the taco business.
Side note. I now need a job till August. Verification of the job has changed some work plans. I might start a quick business to get by till then. Chowder wagon?
I really hate the blog format. And I suck at message board writing as the constraints cause me to write in a short choppy way. I however prefer it to rambling. I have considered some type of website with a beginning collection of short stories, odd recipes and or excerpts.
I just got a call today. If I can get my passport, do a few more bits of paperwork and Dental exam in time (no problem) I will be departing much earlier than expected. May 8th.
I will goto Palmer Station for 3-4 months. I travel there via Chili. Then return home for a few weeks and travel to McMurdo via Australia and New Zealand for close to 6 months. Plus a hefty pay raise. I live in Alaska so that is gonna be some serious travel time.(Anyone feel like calculating the miles? I live in Homer) I think on my way back from McMurdo I will take a quick trip to North Africa, Asia and Europe so I can hit all seven Continents in one year. If I do it just right I will try to visit a chef at each one and cook a meal. Good data and stories to be had.
It has been a long haul so far. The paperwork and PQ process is an endeavor in itself. Wish me luck on my final bits and pieces.
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I think on my way back from McMurdo I will take a quick trip to North Africa, Asia and Europe so I can hit all seven Continents in one year. If I do it just right I will try to visit a chef at each one and cook a meal. Good data and stories to be had.
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I called one of my hiring managers to tell him I was done with the mass amount of paperwork I was given to do. Contracts, wavers, massive physical including EKG and eight vials of blood, NACI background check, urinalysis and a host of other signed documents. It was a huge effort to get this job. Driving, doctors, multiple clinics, immunizations, faxing, printing, scanning and emailing. I told him all I had left was to receive my Passport that I expedited and my dental exam and Full Pano and biting X-Rays and any work that needed to be done. My appt. was on the 8th of may. He told my I was way ahead of the game the 8th would be fine.
15 min. later…
My other hiring manager (I don’t know their official titles) called and asked about my PQ (Physical Qualification) process. I told him the same. He paused and said well… I got super concerned during the pause as I was sure something came up and would be told to stop as I was no longer a candidate. After the pause he said I have to talk with you about a few things, not in the least bit way helping me with my anxiety, then laid the news on me. I needed to change my dental appointment to get PQed as I was being called on to Palmer station as my resume was particularly impressive and they were prepared to pay me about 12 dollars more an hour.
WOW!..
Of course I took it and told him I would make a change my appt. with my dentist. The Dentist would not budge. I called my original manager and he sent a fax to my other dentist stating some official speech about the National Science Foundation and the US Antarctic Program. I got a call a few min. later with an early morning appointment tomorrow.
Talked to my kids and they are sad but excited and use to me leaving but love the long stretches of me being off and completely available. Ex-wife is on board. And I no longer have to look for a new place to live as I have to vacate my winter rental the 1st of this coming month. And got a good offer on my Taco Truck and I will sell it. No need to store it or bother with it.
Wow! Palmer AND Mcmurdo. I’m jealous. You’ll probably find McMurdo is much like a small northern town, but with more Navy.
Hopefully your dental appt. is OK. My wife had to have 3 wisdom teeth out before she was PQ’ed. I was OK, since they were all erupted, but hers were just beneath the gum line (I think if the dentist can contact them with his steel pokey instrument, they have to come out)
You’ll probably have more opportunity at Palmer to see wildlife and/or get out of camp. Try to take advantage. McMurdo has more strict rules about going anywhere.
Enjoy your time there. Don’t be like those folks who treat it just like any other job. Be amazed at what is around you. Be impressed with where you are. Read up on some history of Antarctic exploration before you go, or take some books with you.
Oh. Well that makes sense. I tend to not think of wisdom teeth as being a major problem since I don’t have any and never have (33 years old and they still don’t show up on an X-ray).
Confirmed today. Palmer Station 24hr internet and cell phones work. So I will be able to keep you all up to date and stay in daily contact with my family.
If anyone cares for a little taste of the paperwork check it out.
Click on the medical packet and once you are done check out the travel packet
Deployment Packs
This is in addition to my applications, resumes, multiple contracts, an NACI background check, and a fist full of wavers and other random documents. I have not even filled out a W-2 yet or normal hiring documents like direct deposit and such. Plus, now that I am going in their winter I have to submit additional medical tests and I think a chest x-ray. It has been crazy, hectic and super exciting. Every turn I think something will disqualify me but I keep moving right along. Plus I think I just sold my taco truck. A fantastic way to welcome spring and dust myself off from a relaxing winter.
I am almost done with all this. By the 24th I think I will be PQed and finished. Then we can put an end to this frantic madness and discuss adventures of more interest than my than my prostate.
That’s some serious health checking, but, understandable since you’ll be at the end of the world. It’s not like there are comprehensive medical facilities and treatment centers there.
I really hope you get a chance to post to the Dope from Antarctica.